2025 Recipients of the Outstanding Volunteer Award
Carlos Arocha, FSA
Managing Partner, Arocha & Associates GmbH
Carlos has dedicated nearly three decades of time to global impact on actuarial education and professional development. A leader in international outreach, Carlos has supported curriculum development, exam supervision, and regulatory engagement across Latin America and Europe. He has led the Student Research Case Study Challenge for nine years, authored 40+ articles, and served in multiple leadership roles within SOA sections. Through webinars, bilingual content, and global speaking engagements, Carlos has expanded access to actuarial resources in emerging markets and helped build cross-border partnerships. Carlos serves as the SOA Ambassador for Switzerland. His commitment to mentorship and international collaboration makes him a standout SOA volunteer.
Ashlee Mouton Borcan, FSA, MAAA
Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman
Ashlee is a leader in her own right, helping pave the way forward in professionalism education. A long-time contributor to the SOA, Ashlee recently led the development of new case studies and comic scripts for the “Judge and Jury” session in the Fellowship Admissions Course (FAC), enhancing the ethical training experience for new FSAs. She also serves on the Professionalism Education Management Committee and has supported countless educational and exam initiatives. Known for her creativity, dedication, and impactful communication, Ashlee has consistently elevated SOA content and candidate experiences, making her a great inspiration in actuarial education.
Wai-Sum Chan, FSA, CERA
Dean of the School of Decision Sciences, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Wai-Sum is a long-standing leader in advancing actuarial education in Asia. As a dedicated faculty volunteer, he supports SOA outreach, curriculum development, and exam facilitation—especially across Chinese-speaking institutions. His efforts have strengthened the SOA’s presence in the Greater Asian region through conference participation, CAE and UEC site visits, and translation support. Wai-Sum's work bridges cultural and language gaps, fosters collaboration, and expands access to SOA resources. His humility, professionalism, and commitment to education make him a model volunteer.
Craig A. Doughty, FSA, FCIA
Vice President, Reinsurance, Manulife
Craig is a key contributor to the 2024–2025 fellowship pathway redesign, playing a critical role in developing and refining content for CP341 and CP351, which included study guides, assessment tools, and guided examples. His expertise in reinsurance and ALM, coupled with his dedication and collaborative spirit, helped improve the clarity, rigor, and accessibility of SOA materials. Known for stepping in during critical phases and mentoring others, Craig’s contributions have enhanced both the candidate experience and the SOA’s curriculum development. Craig is a devoted individual, providing great thought leadership and tireless support of the SOA’s educational mission.
In memory of Ching-Chen Chen, a friend and fellow SOA volunteer who we lost in 2021.
Toby L. Hall, FSA, MAAA, FCA
Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana
Toby is an exceptional leader in actuarial education. He chairs the Statistics for Risk Modeling (SRM) Exam Committee and contributes to the Advanced Topics in Predictive Analytics (ATPA) Exam and IAA AI Task Force. Toby played a pivotal role in launching the SRM exam during the SOA’s shift toward predictive analytics, building a high-performing team and ensuring quality exam content. His commitment to innovation, rigorous standards, and candidate success reflects the SOA’s mission. Through his ongoing volunteerism, Toby continues to shape the future of actuarial education and exemplify the spirit of outstanding service.
Gary A. Hatfield, FSA, CERA
Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Gary devoted a lot of his time and energy into curriculum development. With deep expertise in investments and modeling, Gary has shaped numerous fellowship-level courses, including CP 312, INV 101, and INV 201. He developed supplemental materials, improved content clarity, and played a key role in the 2024–2025 curriculum redesign. Known for his reliability, creativity, and attention to detail, Gary brings academic insight and practical experience to every project. His contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of SOA education and helped thousands of candidates succeed, making him a strong leader and a great volunteer.
Paul Setio Kartono, ASA, MAAA
President, Persatuan Aktuaris Indonesia
Paul is a long-standing leader in expanding the SOA’s presence across Southeast Asia. As Former Chair of the SOA Greater Asia Committee and contributor to the Asia Employer Council, Paul has fostered strong partnerships with regulators, universities, and actuarial societies—particularly in Indonesia. He has spoken at major SOA events, authored thought leadership pieces, and played a central role in organizing high-impact conferences, including the record-setting Asia-Pacific Symposium. His dedication to advancing actuarial education and global engagement makes him a vital ambassador for the profession and a deserving recipient of this honor.
Mengran (Emily) Li, FSA, MAAA, CERA
Manager, Deloitte
Mengran (Emily) is a passionate advocate for risk management education and a driving force in the actuarial volunteer community. As Vice Chair of the Joint Risk Management Section Council, Emily has demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading popular book clubs, authoring influential articles, and launching the innovative "Risk and Refreshment" virtual coffee chat series. Emily has organized sessions on AI, regulatory change, and reinsurance, and serves on the Committee on Finance and Risk Management Research, regularly contributing to SOA webcasts and panels. Emily also mentors young actuaries by writing ERM exam questions and encouraging early-career professionals to lead discussions and co-author articles. Her dedication and collaborative spirit exemplify the qualities of an outstanding SOA volunteer.
John K. McGarry, ASA
President & CEO, Insight Decision Solutions
John showed exemplary leadership in mortality research and experience study development. As Co-Vice Chair of the Individual Life Insurance Experience Committee, he has contributed to major SOA reports, including the 2012–2019 Individual Life Mortality Study and the 2024 VBT. John also developed tools and predictive models used widely across the industry and within SOA research. Known for his analytical rigor and thoughtful mentorship, he has volunteered thousands of hours to improving the quality and accessibility of SOA data and educational resources. His dedication and impact make him an amazing SOA volunteer.
Shoaib Soofi, FSA
Global Head of Product Review, MetLife
Shoaib worked diligently to expand the SOA’s presence across the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan, as well as his dedication and leadership. As Chair of the MAP Committee and SOA Ambassador, Shoaib has organized regional events, supported candidates, and built partnerships with universities and employers. He led the launch of subcommittees in Africa, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, enhancing outreach and education. His contributions include curriculum support, event moderation, and global representation on actuarial panels. Shoaib ran and participated in two SOA IFRS17 webinar series: the first focused on technical aspects and the second on implementation, engaging multiple functions such as Actuarial, Finance, and IT. Widely respected for his professionalism and vision, Shoaib has helped strengthen SOA’s global reach and fostered lasting connections across emerging actuarial communities.
Hal Tepfer, FSA, MAAA, EA, MSPA, FCA
Director of MS in Actuarial Science Program, Associate Professor of the Practice, Boston University
Hal is being recognized for his remarkable service across education, research, and student engagement. A key leader in the SOA Research Institute’s Student Research Case Study Challenge for nine consecutive years, Hal has guided volunteers and helped inspire actuarial students worldwide. His contributions also span roles on the Education and Research Section Council, EA exam committees, and numerous SOA sessions. With a passion for connecting academia and the profession, Hal has published extensively and fostered learning through mentorship and innovation. His enduring dedication embodies the spirit of SOA volunteerism.
Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA, ACIA
Associate Director, Corporate Actuarial Analysis, Sun Life
Tiana offered remarkable contributions to education, professional development, and DEI initiatives. She co-leads the PD Curriculum and Content Creation Council, developing content for programs like Professional Development Edge+ and IFRS 17 training. Tiana also serves on multiple committees, contributes to The Actuary Canada, and actively supports DEI, young professional outreach, and international engagement. Her leadership, creativity, and commitment have strengthened the SOA’s educational impact and global reach—making her a standout volunteer and a rising leader in the profession.